Senior Living Blog

Senior Living Blog

Who doesn’t like a nice cup of coffee to start the day or a soda with their lunch? While caffeine can provide an often necessary boost of energy, it’s important to remember that it is a stimulant, not a nutrient, and that too much caffeine is unhealthy.

March is National Caffeine Awareness Month and serves as good reminder to always be careful of how much caffeine you are consuming per day. If you’re on a first-name basis with your local barista, it may be time to rethink your daily intake!

According to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for America, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most of the caffeine consumed in the United States comes from coffee, tea and soda.

About 400 milligrams of caffeine a day – or about four cups of coffee – is considered safe for most healthy adults, though you should always keep in mind that caffeine content in beverages varies widely and that caffeine affects each of us differently.

Mixing caffeine with alcohol should always be avoided. Mixing the two may lead to drinking more alcohol and becoming more intoxicated than you realize, increasing the risk of alcohol-related adverse events.

In general, a good rule of thumb is, if you feel jittery or overly restless after drinking a caffeinated beverage, you should stop. Too much caffeine may lead to sleep problems, migraines and other health issues – not to mention coffee breath!

At the heart of each ISL community is our commitment to providing a fun and active lifestyle for all residents. We place special importance on developing entertainment opportunities for residents that emphasize exercise and physical activity.

We do this because we know the key role active recreation plays in the well-being of seniors and in improving their quality of life. ISL’s Vibrant Life® program, designed for enhancing and enriching residents’ lives with well-rounded and meaningful experiences, guides us in our approach.

We create our programs with more than just physical exercise opportunities in mind. We know that residents who stay active and engaged can see remarkable mental, emotional and even spiritual growth. We want our residents to look forward to making each day as energetic and vibrant as possible.

We don’t take this lightly.

The Vibrant Life® program is all about inspiring our residents to be social and adventurous, to take their health seriously, and to realize the benefits of living an active lifestyle.

Each ISL community designs its Vibrant Life® program to specifically meet the wants and needs of its residents. Various outings and activities are offered that allow people to create their own schedules based on their interests, preferences, routines and abilities.

Providing quality, active entertainment options not only makes our communities wonderful places to be, but results in increased resident health and fitness, gives opportunities for socializing, and lets residents use skills and talents developed throughout their lifetime and even learn new skills.

We care deeply about our residents and always want them to feel that they are being treated by associates who truly value who they are as individuals.

The prospect of a big, spacious home is a dream to almost any young family on the hunt to find a space to grow their lives in. However, years later, when the kids have moved out and you’ve passed the age of retirement, this big dream home is now more of a hassle than anything else. Downsizing is a smart move for most seniors because it takes away the burden of having to tend to a house that is no longer truly needed. The benefits of moving into a smaller place are numerous, but the act itself isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve been living in your home for a while.

We here at Integral Senior Living fully support seniors transitioning into a home that’s much more manageable, and we’ve devised a few tips for those wishing to make the move:

Start slow and steady

It’s best to start planning as far in advance as possible. Even if you’re not fully committed to downsizing your home for retirement, you should still come up with a plan in case you find yourself in a situation where the move is necessary, like you or your spouse getting sick. Look into housing options that are both appealing and affordable and start saving money. Having a solid plan will make the process much less stressful if you have to move on a whim and especially easy if you’ve been planning to downsize for a while.

Hire an agent who knows the ropes

Trying to sell your home and search for a new one at the same time is a nightmare for anyone of any age, and we don’t recommend going about it alone. Hire a top real estate agent in San Diego or the surrounding area to help you move. They’ll help you sell your current home and find a new one that’s within your price range and offers amenities suitable for seniors. And, he or she will be someone who you can count on to be there for you during a transition that can be tough.

Be smart about your location

The benefits that come with downsizing are going to be negated if you move into a place in a bad location. If possible, move close to family members or close friends. If that isn’t an option, move into a place where you don’t have to worry about who is going to help you if you’re sick, injured, or unable to do certain day-to-day tasks. A housing community tailored to seniors’ needs, like Integral Senior Living, is an excellent option for those looking for a comfortable home with necessary accommodations.

Downsizing isn’t something that’s easy, and it can be a very emotional process. However, with some proper planning and time management, the move doesn’t have to be too burdensome. If you’re a senior in the San Diego or Carlsbad area, don’t hesitate to consider Integral Senior Living for your next home if downsizing from your house is something you plan on doing.

The opioid epidemic is a serious health crisis for our country, and senior citizens are not immune to what’s happening. Every day, more than 90 Americans die of an opioid overdose. This includes overdoses on illegal heroin as well as the abuse of prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl and others.

A recent analysis from Stanford University found that seniors covered by Medicare have “among the highest and most rapidly growing prevalence of opioid use disorder.” The report found that more than six out of every 1,000 Medicare patients are diagnosed with an opioid disorder, compared to one of every 1,000 patients covered by commercial insurance plans.

Unfortunately, abuse of opioids isn’t the only way seniors are contributing to the crisis. Many have become what is known as an “accidental drug dealer.” These are seniors whose prescribed medication is stolen or periodically taken from their homes. Sadly, many times this is done by friends and family members who have access to their medicine cabinets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 percent of people who abuse opioids get them from a friend or relative.

So what can you do about it?

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, getting immediate professional help is crucial to not falling victim to further abuse or even to an overdose. Treatment options that are available include:

Many people have hearts on their minds as they move into February. This month not only holds the holiday built to celebrate love, Valentine’s Day, but also marks American Heart Month, which is an excellent time to educate yourself on heart health.

Led by the American Heart Association, this federally designated awareness month sets out to remind people to focus on maintaining healthy hearts and to help raise heart disease awareness with their families, friends and communities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. And that number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

Keeping a healthy heart is key to continuing to have a high quality of life as we age. Here are a few simple ways you can help prevent heart disease.

We place special emphasis on getting nutritious meals and promoting an active lifestyle at our communities because we know how important it is to overall health, especially in regard to the cardiovascular system.

It’s also important to make regular visits to your doctor. Early diagnosis of any heart disease or irregularities can help save your life.

We wish you all a happy and healthy Valentine’s Day! Make sure you remember to wear red on Feb. 3 to celebrate National Wear Red Day as part of American Heart Month!

With the arrival of a new year comes the opportunity to plan for the future and focus our energy on personal resolutions. Setting personal goals at the beginning of a new year is a wonderful way to inspire change in one’s life.

For seniors, it can be especially important to make resolutions that will provide a better quality of life both now and in the future. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Eat Healthy

The struggle for most people is making sure we make good food choices. Resolve to eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried and fatty foods. Go for fiber-rich foods like whole grain bread, brown rice and whole grain pasta. Choose healthy fats, such as olive and canola oils, and stay away from highly processed food. We developed our award-winning Dining by Design program to help ensure our residents have high-quality, freshly prepared meals each day.

Be Active

Staying active is critical for everyone, and especially as we age. Make a concerted effort to exercise daily. Going for a walk and participating in yoga or water aerobics are all great ways to stay limber, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your balance, posture and mood. Residents are offered fun daily activities to keep you living a vibrant life.

Routine Doctor Visits

Visiting your doctor regularly, not just when you get sick, is something everyone should do. Making sure any medications you’re taking are working properly, getting important screening tests for vision and hearing, and staying up-to-date on any immunizations are crucial to staying healthy. Our communities have highly trained staff to make sure you are receiving the proper medical care you need.

Check in More

Too often, seniors become isolated because of mobility issues. If you know someone who has trouble leaving their house, set dates to visit them throughout the year. Sometimes, just spending a few minutes with a friend or loved one can brighten their day.

We hope everyone makes at least one resolution for 2018 that will result in a positive change in their life. Happy New Year from all of us at Integral Senior Living!

Choosing a senior living community is one of your most important life decisions. Things like location, care services and range of amenities offered are all important details that should be taken seriously before making a decision.

Not all communities are created equal, and each is different in its own way. However, there are a few quality traits that can make a senior living community stand above the rest.

Personalized, Professional Care

A well-trained staff that treats each resident properly is perhaps the most important factor that separates a quality community from a lesser one. A professional staff that cares for the men and women living in their community creates a welcoming atmosphere that can lead to better health and higher quality of life for residents.

Safety

Safety is important when selecting a senior living community. Residents need to feel safe at all times. Are the proper doors always locked? Is someone on duty 24 hours a day? What is the protocol for an after-hours medical emergency? Questions like these matter for residents’ peace of mind.

Friends, Not Neighbors

Residents should feel that they are part of a community, not just sharing space with strangers. A quality community should feel like a club where people interact with one another daily, having fun and forming relationships. That’s why we offer our Vibrant Life® program, designed to optimize health and well-being by promoting a culture filled with joyful experiences, meaningful endeavors, and abundant opportunities to connect with family, friends and the local community.

Activity

Staying active is critical for seniors to keep their minds and bodies engaged. A quality community will have at least one fun activity each day of the week that will get its residents up and moving to stimulate both the mind and body. Communities should also have access to games, sports or other activities residents can enjoy at their leisure. Our Vibrant Life® program emphasizes an active and adventurous lifestyle for residents.

Nutritious, Good-Tasting Food

Communities that care about the food they serve and cook with quality ingredients will keep residents healthy and living the lifestyles they want. Our communities’ culinary directors are committed to providing superior dining experiences for our residents. We source local and regional ingredients when possible, offer varied menu selections and flexible dining schedules, and make meals an occasion to socialize. Dining at your community should feel and taste as though you’re at a quality restaurant.

We hope this list helps you when you start looking for a senior living community. Prepare a list of questions and concerns to address when taking tours. Take the time to explore the entire community, and talk to current residents about their experience. Last, ask if you can attend the community’s next member event.

The number of seniors with diabetes is growing, but there are ways to control the disease

More than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes, reports The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 86 million are living with prediabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.

People get diabetes when their blood glucose level, sometimes called blood sugar, is too high. There are two main kinds of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. Adults can develop this type of diabetes, but it occurs most often in children and young adults.

In type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin, but doesn’t use it efficiently. The most common kind of diabetes, type 2 occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults, but it can also affect children. Your risk for type 2 diabetes rises as you age, if you are overweight or inactive, or if you have a family history of diabetes.

Many people who have prediabetes may be unaware of their condition. Prediabetes means glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes although the onset can be prevented or delayed with weight loss, healthy eating, and being physically active.

Living with diabetes as you age

As people get older, their risk for type 2 diabetes increases, says the American Diabetes Association. In the United States, about 1 in 4 people over the age of 60 have diabetes.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your doctor can help you choose the best treatment for you. Many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone. Others need diabetes medicines or insulin injections. Over time, some people may need both lifestyle changes and medication.

Tips for managing type 2 diabetes:

Track your glucose levels.Very high glucose levels or very low glucose levels (called hypoglycemia) can cause serious health risks. Your doctor can show you how to check your glucose levels at home.

Make healthy food choices.Your doctor can refer you to a dietitian to help you learn how different foods affect glucose levels. Focus on establishing and maintaining a healthy weight, and developing balanced, nutritious meal plans that will stabilize glucose levels.

Get regular exercise.Daily exercise can help improve glucose levels in older people with diabetes. Ask your doctor to help you plan an exercise program that’s right for you.

Take your diabetes medicines as prescribed.You might feel tempted to stop taking your medications if you feel well. But uncontrolled diabetes damages essential systems in your body, and can lead to higher risk for serious complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, and neurological disorders such as dementia.

The Caregiver Action Network (http://caregiveraction.org/), the nation’s leading family caregiver organization that advocates for the more than 90 million Americans who care for disabled, sick, or elderly loved ones, cites these tips about family caregiving and this year’s theme.

Caregiving can be a 24-hours a day/7-days a week job. Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s or a child with special needs can be non-stop. Providing care around the clock can crowd out other important areas of life. And you never know when you will need to rush to the hospital or leave work at the drop of a hat. What challenges do family caregivers face, and how do they manage them day and night?

Morning:Getting off to work. The average family caregiver is a working mother of school-aged children. Mornings become a tricky balancing act of getting the kids ready for school, making sure your loved one has what they need for the day before getting yourself out the door for work.

All Day Long:Managing medications. Up to 70% of the time, the family caregiver – not the patient –manages the medications. The more serious the condition, the more likely it is that the family caregiver manages the medications for the patient. This means ensuring your loved one is taking their medication correctly and maintaining an up-to-date medication list.

During the Workday:Juggling caregiving and work. Six out of 10 family caregivers work full- or part-time in addition to juggling their caregiving responsibilities at home. And most of them say they have to cut back on working hours, take a leave of absence, or quit their job entirely.

Evening:Family time and meal time. Ensuring that you get proper nutrition will help you maintain strength, energy, stamina, and a positive attitude. Nutrition is as important for you as the caregiver as it for your loved one. Caregiving affects the whole family.

Late at Night:Taking time for yourself. Late at night might be the only time you get a few minutes for yourself. Make sure you take time to rest and recharge. The chance to take a breather and re-energize is vital in order for you to be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you were today.

The Middle of the Night:Emergency room visits. Have you ever had to take your loved one to the emergency room in the middle of the night? Be prepared ahead of time with what you need to know and what you need to have with you.

During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize the challenges family caregivers face when their loved ones needCaregiving Around the Clock!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday when families come together to celebrate life’s many blessings. When a loved one is in a senior living community, it can make gathering a little more difficult. Below are tips for celebrating Thanksgiving in a way that is enjoyable for the whole family.

Bring the holidays to those in senior living communities. If your family member in a senior living community isn’t able to come home for the holidays, then bring the festivities and family traditions to them! Decorate their residence with Thanksgiving garlands or gourds to enhance the holiday atmosphere. Make plans to join your loved one and establish new traditions. Most senior living communities offer Thanksgiving events.

Send a care package. If you live too far away to visit your loved one for Thanksgiving, put together a special package from the whole family. You can include letters, photos, flowers, homemade treats and anything else to remind them you are thinking about them. Make sure to give them a call or video chat on Thanksgiving.

Plan activities that anyone can enjoy. If you can bring your family member home for a visit, plan some holiday activities that entertain the whole family. Low-key activities, such as watching a football game or a movie, are an easy and fun way to gather the family together. Other suggestions for holiday fun include writing letters to friends, veterans or family members, completing a puzzle, listening to music, or doing a Thanksgiving-themed craft. Don’t feel that you need to plan every second of their visit. They will probably be happy to just relax and enjoy time with the family.

Adhere to dietary requirements. Thanksgiving is a fun time to indulge, but it is important that you prepare foods that take your loved one’s dietary restrictions into account.

Above all, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones, regardless of what you do or where you celebrate. Your senior family member will be grateful to celebrate Thanksgiving with you, wherever you are!